Brian M Nguyen, MD, Emilie Fitzpatrick, MD, Daniel B Jones, MD. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
INTRODUCTION: Clinicians are not properly trained in the use of energy devices. The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) developed The Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE) Program, a curriculum designed to educate and promote the safe use of energy devices in the operating room and endoscopy suite. With its recent launch, adoption of the FUSE program has been slower than anticipated. The goal of this study is to determine the catalysts and barriers to implementing the FUSE program in an academic medical center.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES: An anonymous online survey was distributed to members of a surgery department, including surgical residents, fellows, and faculty, at an academic teaching hospital (n=256). Participants were asked to indicate their level of training. Reasons for completing or not completing the FUSE program were measured using a 5-point Likert scale.
RESULTS: There were a total of 94 (37%) respondents to the survey from September 7-20, 2016. Fifteen surveys were incomplete, leaving 79 responses for analysis. Most respondents were at the faculty level (45/79, 57%). While the majority of respondents had heard of FUSE (62/79, 79%), only 19 completed the certification (19/62, 32%). There was no difference in the completion rate between faculty surgeons and trainees (27% vs. 21%, OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.49-4.06, p=0.53). The most common reasons cited for not taking the exam were lack of time to study for the exam (26/43, 61%) and lack of time to take the exam (28/43, 62%). Cost was not a leading barrier to adoption (12/43, 28%). The majority of respondents identified a personal learning gap regarding the safe use of surgical energy (30/43, 70%). Of the 19 respondents who were FUSE certified, the reasons cited for completing the exam included wanting to prevent adverse events to patients (17/19, 90%), wanting to prevent adverse events in the operating room (17/19, 90%), and the belief that the course would make them a safer surgeon (16/19, 84%).
CONCLUSIONS: FUSE teaches the proper use of radiofrequency energy, how to prevent unnecessary injury, and promotes safe practice. Professionalism seems to be the primary motivator for completing the FUSE certification. Time restraints were cited most commonly as the barrier to starting and completing FUSE. Integrating the FUSE program into resident educational conferences, faculty grand rounds, or national conferences may help improve participation and drive adoption of FUSE certification.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 80056
Program Number: P301
Presentation Session: Poster (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster
